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Failed Bank Information
Question and Answer Guide for Alpha Bank & Trust, Alpharetta,
GA |
Alpha Bank & Trust Call
Center 404-704-2556 |
FDIC Call Center
Toll free number 1-800-591-2912
Hours of Operation - Eastern Time |
Friday,
October 24, 2008: |
4:00
p.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
Saturday, October
25, 2008: |
9:00
a.m. – 6:00
p.m. |
Sunday, October
26, 2008: |
9:00 a.m. – 6:00
p.m. |
Thereafter: |
8:00 a.m. – 8:00
p.m. |
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The following questions and answers represent
the most commonly asked questions by customers of a failed institution. If the balance in your interest bearing account(s) (this includes any accounts in which you have an ownership) is less than $250,000, or if your deposit is in a non-interest bearing transaction account(s), no action is required on your part at this time. Your insured account(s) will be
transferred to Stearns Bank, N.A., St. Cloud, MN and will be available
for business as usual during
regular business hours.
DEPOSIT QUESTIONS
- Over $250,000
What if I have more than $250,000 in my accounts at Alpha Bank & Trust?
- Account Hold
I have been advised there is a hold on my account. What does that mean?
- Account Insurance Status: Is my account fully insured? Is there a method to verify whether my account(s) at Alpha Bank & Trust are fully insured?
- ATM/Debit Card/Checks Can I continue to write checks or use my ATM/Debit card?
- Automatic Payments/Online Billpay Will my automatic payments through Billpay continue?
- Brokered Deposits/Deposit Broker
I am a deposit broker or I have a deposit through a broker. What do I need to do?
- Checks not Honored A merchant will not honor my check. What
can I do?
- Claim Account(s) How do I claim my account(s)?
- Customer Impact How does this failure affect me?
- Deposits
Existing at Stearns Bank, N.A. I already have
other deposit accounts with the new bank. When combined with
balances at this bank, my deposits exceed $250,000. Are all
funds insured?
- Direct
Deposits, Social Security What will happen
to my direct deposits?
- Early Withdrawal Penalty
Will I incur an early withdrawal penalty if I close my CD before maturity?
- Final Statement
How will I get my final account statement(s) from Alpha Bank & Trust?
- Interest Will I continue to earn interest at the same rate?
- Interest Check/Cashier's
Checks Can I cash my interest check or cashier's check?
- Internet Connection
Why doesn't my Internet connection to Alpha Bank & Trust work?
- IRAs
What if I have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? Will my savings still be insured?
- Lose Any Money? Will I lose anything on my deposit account?
- Outstanding Checks
What will happen to the checks which have not cleared my account?
- Records/Account Histories What if I need information regarding my account during the time Alpha Bank & Trust was in business?
- Tax Reporting - 1098/1099s
Who will send my 1098 and/or 1099 information after the end of the year?
- Uninsured Will I collect my uninsured deposits?
- Wire Transfer Can
funds be wired to me?
LOAN QUESTIONS
- Automatic Payments Will my automatic transaction payment still occur on its assigned date?
- Construction Loan Draws Will construction draws continue? Will my project be completed?
- Construction Loan Voucher Control Will my subcontractors be paid as before?
- Escrows Will you continue to pay my escrows?
- Fees Are there any changes to fees or charges due to this event?
- Lender and Contact
Names Who is my lender and has my loan contact
changed?
- Loan Sales Will my loan be sold?
- Line of Credit Advances - Home Equity Can
I continue to perform advances on my personal line of credit?
- Loan in Process I have a loan currently in process. How is my loan impacted?
- Loan Sweeps Will my loan sweep be discontinued?
- Overdraft Line of Credit Will my overdraft line of credit continue to cover my overdrafts?
- Payments How
and where do I make my payments? Can I still pay by phone or
at the branch?
- Pre-payment Penalty If I refinance with another lender, will my pre-payment penalty be waived?
- SBA Application in Process What will happen to my SBA loan application in process?
- What Happens Now What will happen to my loan?
GENERAL QUESTIONS
- All Deposit Transfer versus Insured Deposit Transfer Why do all deposits, insured and uninsured, pass is some transactions but not in others?
- FDIC
Insurance How can I find out more about Federal Deposit Insurance rules?
- Media
I represent a TV/Newspaper/Radio and would like some information.
- New Bank Insured
Is the new bank insured by the FDIC?
- Safe Deposit Boxes
How can I claim the contents of my safe deposit box?
- Shareholders I am a shareholder in Alpha Bank & Trust. What happens to my shares?
- Unpaid Bill
I did some work for Alpha Bank & Trust and have not yet been paid. What should I do?
- What Happened? What
happened, why did the bank fail?
- Work for FDIC - Contract or Employment
How can I apply to work for FDIC as a contractor or employee?
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DEPOSIT QUESTIONS |
1. What if I have more than $250,000 in my accounts at Alpha Bank & Trust? |
If you have more than $250,000 in your interest bearing account, or if the
total of your related interest bearing accounts exceeds $250,000, your accounts
may require review
by an
FDIC Claim Agent. You should call the FDIC to schedule a telephone appointment
with an FDIC claim Agent at 1-800-591-2912.
If you have an interest bearing account or group of interest bearing accounts
that exceeds $250,000, you may need to complete certain declarations or affidavits
and
provide documentation
so that the FDIC can make an insurance determination on your account(s).
If you are an investor with a deposit broker, you may need to complete one of these forms only if your investment exceeds $250,000. However, you must mail your form to your deposit broker for submission to the FDIC.
If your deposits DO NOT exceed $250,000, or if your deposits are in a non-interest bearing transaction account(s) you DO NOT need to complete these documents or contact the FDIC.
An account hold may be placed on an account due to the need for additional documentation from a depositor. For example, a Declaration for Trust form may be required to attest to the parties involved in a trust. These forms can be mailed to you, or you can access them online at: Deposit
Claims (www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/forms/#DepositClaims).
If you have a question regarding the completion of required affidavits or
declarations, please call 1-800-591-2912 and
indicate you have a form completion question.
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2.
I have been advised there is a hold on my account. What does that mean? |
It is possible a depositor’s account was held due to delinquent loans where the depositor is the borrower or guarantor. Additionally, any account pledged as collateral for a loan will continue to be held. A letter will be sent informing you of any holds placed by the FDIC, along with instructions on how to proceed. If you have any questions regarding these holds, please call your loan officer or the FDIC at the number provided in the letter.
Another reason an account hold may be placed is due to the need for additional
documentation from a depositor. For example, a Declaration for Trust form may
be required to attest to the parties involved in the trust. Please contact
the FDIC at 1-800-591-2912 to schedule a telephone appointment.
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3. Is there a method to verify whether my account(s) at Alpha Bank & Trust are fully insured? |
A tool, Is My Account Fully
Insured? (www2.fdic.gov/dip/index.asp), is available that allows
failed bank customers the ability to verify whether their account is fully
insured or if they need to contact the FDIC. This
service will be available for use no later than the first business day after
the bank's failure. Once you enter your account number, your insurance
status for that account will appear. If there is a hold on your
account, it may be due to the need for the additional documentation referenced
in question number one. If there is
a hold, you will need to contact the FDIC at 1-800-591-2912 to
schedule a telephone appointment.
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4. Can I continue to write checks or use my ATM/Debit card? |
You will be able to continue using your personal checks at this time, and your ATM/Debit card will continue to work. The ATM machine will be unavailable for a short period of time on Friday for processing; however, it will be operational shortly after that is accomplished and will be available as usual. |
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5.
Will my automatic payments through Billpay continue? |
Billpay will be unavailable over the weekend; however, it will be available on Monday morning. |
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6. I am a deposit broker or I have a deposit through a broker. What do I need to do? |
Brokered deposits will be held by the FDIC, and those insured deposits will be paid off when the insurance determination is complete. The FDIC offers an online reference guide to deposit brokers acting as agents for their investor clientele. This site outlines the FDIC’s policies and procedures that must be followed by deposit brokers when filing for pass-through insurance coverage on custodial accounts in a failed FDIC-insured institution. Please read the Deposit Broker Processing Guide completely before contacting the FDIC with questions. Deposit
Broker Processing Guide (www.fdic.gov/deposit/deposits/brokers/index.html)
Should you have any questions regarding the completion of required affidavits
or declarations on behalf of your client, please call 1-800-591-2912 and
indicate you have a form completion question.
If you are a customer who has a Alpha Bank & Trust deposit through
a broker, you must contact your broker with any questions. Once
the FDIC receives a balanced investor file along with all the required documentation,
from your broker, your insured funds will be wired to them on your behalf.
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7.
A merchant will not honor my check. What can I do? |
A copy of this document or the press
release (www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2008/pr08106.html)
can be provided as both documents state insured deposits have been transferred,
and it is business as usual. Copies of this press release will be available
at the bank. Depositors or merchants can also call the FDIC at 1-800-591-2912 or your new bank at your former Alpha Bank & Trust branch location.
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8. How do I claim my account(s)? |
A deposit insurance payment of your account(s) up to the insured limit has already been transferred, and your account(s) will be handled as usual. Any withdrawal, renewal or additional deposits will “claim” your account(s). Please be advised that if there is no activity in your account in the next 18 months, that money will be escheated to your state. Unclaimed property can be located by visiting www.missingmoney.com or contacting your state’s treasurer’s office or office of unclaimed property. |
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9. How does this failure affect me? |
The effect of the failure on the average depositor of Alpha Bank & Trust
will be minimal, as the FDIC transferred the insured deposits and certain assets
to
Stearns Bank, N.A. If you held an account at Alpha Bank & Trust, you now
have an account at Stearns Bank, N.A.
The former Alpha Bank & Trust, locations will reopen as branches of
Stearns Bank, N.A. on Monday October 27, 2008. You will have continued access
to your money through your ATM/debit card and by writing checks.
Can Alpha Bank & Trust customers use Stearns Bank, N.A. branches?
Please note you will not be able to transact business at existing Stearns Bank,
N.A. branches until you are notified. Existing customers of Stearns Bank, N.A.
will not be able to transact business at these former Alpha Bank & Trust
branches until you are notified.
If the balance in your interest bearing account(s) (this includes any accounts in which you have an ownership) is less than $250,000, or if your deposits are in a non-interest bearing transaction accounts no action is required on your part at this time. Your entire account(s) will be transferred and will be available for business as usual during regular business hours at the former Alpha Bank & Trust branches.
If you have more than $250,000 in your interest bearing account (or $250,000
in your IRA), or if the total of your related interest bearing accounts
exceeds $250,000, your accounts may require review by an FDIC Claim Agent.
All accounts
that
appear to be related are reviewed to determine ownership and insurance coverage.
Certain entitlements and different types of accounts can be insured in excess
of the $250,000. If you think you might have uninsured deposits, please see question
number one for information regarding forms you may need to complete to
expedite this process.
If you had a loan with the bank, continue to make your checks payable to Alpha Bank & Trust, and mail to the same address you have used in the past until you are instructed otherwise. |
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10. I
already have other deposit accounts with the new bank. When
combined with balances at this bank, my deposits exceed $250,000. Are
all funds insured? |
The transferred accounts will be separately insured for at least six months after the merger. This grace period gives a depositor the opportunity to restructure his or her accounts, if necessary.
CDs from the assumed bank are separately insured until the earliest maturity date after the end of the six-month grace period. CDs that mature during the six-month period and are renewed for the same term and in the same dollar amount (either with or without accrued interest) continue to be separately insured until the first maturity date after the six-month period. If a CD matures during the six-month grace period and is renewed on any other basis, it would be separately insured only until the end of the six-month grace period. |
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11. What
will happen to my direct deposits? |
Direct Deposits will continue as normal, including Social Security checks. If you need to change anything in the future, please contact or visit your former Alpha Bank & Trust branch location to make those arrangements. |
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12. Will
I incur an early withdrawal penalty if I close my CD before maturity? |
No. You may withdraw funds from any transferred account without an early withdrawal penalty until you enter into a new deposit agreement with your new bank. Entering into a new deposit agreement can be done by either renewing your CD or making a deposit to, or a withdrawal from, your account. |
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13. How
will I get my final account statement(s) from Alpha Bank & Trust? |
You will receive your account statements at the same time you have received them in the past. |
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14.
Will I continue to earn interest at the same rate? |
All interest on insured deposits accrued through Friday, October 24, 2008,
will be paid at your same rate. Stearns Bank, N.A. will be reviewing rates
and will provide further information soon.
If you deposited funds through a broker, the interest will accrue and be paid through Friday, October 24, 2008.
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15. Can
I cash my interest check or cashier's check? |
Interest checks and cashier's checks will continue to clear up to the insurance
limit. Outstanding cashier's checks and interest checks are eligible for deposit
insurance coverage and will be added back to any other of your account balances
with the same ownership capacities to determine your insurance coverage. If
a portion of an interest check or cashier's check exceeds the insurance limits,
a stop payment order may have been issued on that check. If you believe that
a check in your possession exceeds the deposit insurance limits, you can call
the FDIC at 1-800-591-2912 to schedule a telephone appointment
to speak to an FDIC Claim Agent. |
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16. Why
doesn't my Internet connection to Alpha Bank & Trust work? |
Over the weekend, consumer customers will have read-only website access to your account(s). However, business customers WILL NOT have website access to your account(s) over the weekend. Online transactional service is expected to resume on Monday morning for all customers. Alpha Bank & Trust had a number of avenues for customers to access funds, and each of those avenues will be available when final processing is completed. |
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17. What
if I have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? Will my
savings still be insured? |
Yes. IRA funds are insured separately from other types of accounts up to $250,000.
If you close your IRA before maturity, you have 60 days to roll this over
into another retirement vehicle. You should consult IRS Publication 590 and/or
your tax advisor concerning the possible tax consequences of such distribution.
IRS Publication 590 may be obtained by contacting your local IRS office or
via the Internet at www.irs.gov. |
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18. Will
I lose anything on my deposit account? |
Principal and interest on insured accounts, through Friday, October 24, 2008, are protected by the FDIC, to at least $250,000. All transferred accounts are insured to at least $250,000. Certain entitlements and different types of accounts can be insured in excess of the $250,000. If
you have more than $250,000 in your interest bearing account (or $250,000
in your IRA), or if the total of your related interest bearing accounts exceeds
$250,000, your
accounts
may
require review by an FDIC Claim Agent. All accounts that appear to be related
are reviewed to determine ownership and insurance coverage. See question
number one for information regarding forms you may need to complete
to expedite this process.
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19. What
will happen to the checks which have not cleared my account? |
Checks that were drawn on Alpha Bank & Trust that did not clear before the institution closed will be honored up to your available balance or the insured amount. |
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20.
What if I need information regarding my account during the time Alpha Bank & Trust
was in business? |
Please contact a representative of your new bank at your former Alpha Bank & Trust branch location to obtain a copy of any records you may need or visit your branch. |
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21. Who
will send my 1098 and/or 1099 information after the end of the year? |
Stearns Bank, N.A. will be responsible for mailing your 1099 tax information.
Your 1098 reporting will be done by the FDIC or the servicer of your loan.
You will be notified of any changes in ownership or servicing of your loan. |
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22. Will I collect my uninsured deposits? |
If you have a loan in the same name as your uninsured deposit account, it may be possible to offset your uninsured amount against your loan. You should discuss this with your claim agent during your appointment.
If it is determined that you have some uninsured funds, the FDIC will mail you a Receivership Certificate. This certificate entitles you to share proportionately in any funds recovered through the sale of the assets of Alpha Bank & Trust. You may eventually recover more of your uninsured funds as assets are liquidated.
When a financial institution is closed, and the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation ("FDIC") is appointed as receiver, one of FDIC's responsibilities
is to sell the institution's assets to pay the depositors and its creditors.
The money generated by the sale of these assets will flow through the Receivership,
and periodic dividend payments will be made to proven claimants when excess
cash is available. For an explanation of the dividend process, go to FDIC Dividends from Failed
Banks (www2.fdic.gov/divweb/index.asp).
Of course, you will receive immediate full payment for your insured
amount by transfer to Stearns Bank, N.A.
If
you have a deposit through a broker, your insured funds will be wired to
your
broker
on your
behalf once the FDIC receives all required documentation from your broker.
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23. Can
funds be wired to me? |
Please contact your former Alpha Bank & Trust branch location to obtain information regarding your wire request. |
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LOAN QUESTIONS |
24.
Will my automatic transaction payment still occur on its assigned date? |
You should experience no disruption in this service. We encourage you to check your bank account the day after your scheduled draft to verify the transaction. If the transaction did not occur, please notify your loan officer and we will research your loan. |
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25.
Will construction draws continue? Will my project be completed? |
Each loan is being reviewed independently, and you should direct your questions to your loan officer. These will be determined on a case-by-case basis. |
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26.
Will my subcontractors be paid as before? |
Each loan is being reviewed independently and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. You should direct your questions to your loan officer. |
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27.
Will you continue to pay my escrows? |
All services previously performed related to your loan will continue. Should you receive notification that any portion of your taxes or insurance were not paid, please notify your loan officer immediately. |
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28.
Are there any changes to fees or charges due to this event? |
No. The current fee structure will remain the same.
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29.
Who is my lender and has my loan contact changed? |
Your loan is currently owned by the FDIC and is being serviced by all of the same personnel with whom you have worked in the past. All prior contacts remain the same. |
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30.
Will my loan be sold? |
Your loan may be sold at a future undetermined date. If that occurs, you
will be notified in advance through written correspondence. If you are concerned
about whom your future lender or servicer will be, you have the right to independently
refinance your loan with another lender. |
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31.
Can I continue to perform advances on my personal line of credit? |
All lines of credit, including Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs), have
been suspended at this time. You may contact Stearns Bank, N.A. at the Alpharetta
office at 678-534-5804 or at the Marietta office at 770-794-5900 to discuss
establishing a borrowing relationship. Also, you may want to contact another
financial institution to discuss establishing a borrowing relationship. |
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32.
I have a loan currently in process. How is my loan impacted? |
Please contact your loan officer directly.
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33.
Will my loan sweep be discontinued? |
This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your loan officer. |
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34.
Will my overdraft line of credit continue to cover my overdrafts? |
Yes. These lines have been transferred to Stearns Bank, N.A. Please contact
your new bank if you have additional questions regarding your accounts. |
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35.
How and where do I make my payments? Can I still pay by phone or at
the branch? |
You should continue to make your payments as agreed. Make checks payable to Alpha Bank & Trust and utilize the same payment address information.
You may continue to make your payments at the branch or by phone via check or credit card.
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36.
If I refinance with another lender, will my pre-payment penalty be waived? |
Those will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
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37.
What will happen to my SBA loan application in process? |
The FDIC as Receiver for Alpha Bank & Trust will not be originating any new loans.
If your loan has been approved by the SBA, but is not yet funded, please contact your loan officer. He will direct you to the proper SBA contact to help you locate another approved lender.
If your loan is in process, but is not yet approved by the SBA, we will release your SBA package on file with us to you, and you will need to apply with another SBA-approved lender. Please contact your loan officer to make arrangements to retrieve your application from the bank.
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38.
What will happen to my loan? |
Each loan is currently being reviewed independently to determine the best action for that individual loan. If you are concerned about whom your future lender or servicer may be, you have the right to independently refinance your loan with another lender.
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GENERAL QUESTIONS |
39. Why
do all deposits, insured and uninsured, pass is some transactions but
not in others? |
The FDIC is required by law to employ the least-cost resolution measure for each failed financial institution. The most frequent result is for the FDIC to transfer only the insured deposits in a merger transaction. The FDIC is only able to transfer all deposits if the uninsured amounts are covered by the premium. The FDIC has been able to transfer all deposits in about 25% of the failures over the past 15 years.
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40. How
can I find out more about Federal Deposit Insurance rules? |
You may access our website, which contains deposit insurance information and an Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator
(EDIE):
You may also order Your Insured Deposits or any other FDIC publication:
3501 North Fairfax Drive
Room E-1002
Arlington, VA 22226
703-562-2200 Phone
703-562-2296 Fax
publicinfo@fdic.gov
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41.
I represent a TV/Newspaper/Radio and would like some information. |
Please contact the Office of Public Affairs:
Washington, DC |
David Barr 202-898-6992
dbarr@fdic.gov |
Andrew Gray 202-898-7192 202-494-1049 angray@fdic.gov |
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42. Is
the new bank insured by the FDIC? |
Yes. Your deposit at Stearns Bank, N.A. is insured by the FDIC, and each
depositor is insured to at
least $250,000, as established by law. |
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43. How
can I claim the contents of my safe deposit box? |
It is business as usual. You may go to your branch and access your safe deposit box or make appointments by calling your former Alpha Bank & Trust branch location. |
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44.
I am a shareholder in Alpha Bank & Trust. What happens to my shares? |
Shareholders have a claim against the receivership; however, they have the lowest priority of claim. You should discuss this with an accountant and/or the IRS concerning the exact requirements necessary to recognize the investment as a loss for tax purposes.
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45. I
did some work for Alpha Bank & Trust and have not yet been paid. What
should I do? |
Please send your bills to the following address:
FDIC as Receiver for: Alpha Bank & Trust
1601 Bryan Street
Dallas, TX 75201 |
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46. What
happened, why did the bank fail? |
Alpha Bank & Trust, Alpharetta, GA was closed Friday, October 24, 2008, by
the Georgia Department of Banking & Finance. Subsequently, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named Receiver. The FDIC will transfer insured
deposits and certain assets of Alpha Bank & Trust, to Stearns Bank, N.A., based
in St. Cloud, MN. See the Georgia Department of Banking & Finance’s Press Release
for further information. According to regulatory policy, there is no advance
notice given to the public.
The good news is that no one lost any insured deposit money as a result
of the closure of Alpha Bank & Trust. To protect depositors, the FDIC
Board of Directors approved the assumption of Alpha Bank & Trust’s
insured deposits by Stearns Bank, N.A.
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47. How
can I apply to work for FDIC as a contractor or employee? |
For contracting opportunities with the FDIC, you may call 1-866-308-4470
for more information. You may also email ProcurementOpportunities@fdic.gov. Please
include a statement of your corporate capabilities, contact information and
Minority or Women-Owned Business (MWOB) status, if any.
You must also register in the Central Contractor Registration database at www.ccr.gov.
To review positions currently available at the FDIC, visit Careers at FDIC (www.fdic.gov/about/jobs/index.html). |
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